The Queen opens new Rosie

Cambridge University Hospitals was delighted and proud to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to open the new Rosie Hospital.

The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, was introduced to past and present staff, CUH management, and donors and fundraisers on their tour, which included the Rosie Birth Centre and neonatal intensive care unit. It marked 51 years since her last visit to the hospital, when she opened the new Addenbrooke's site.

The Royal couple also met proud parents Claire Morris and Stephen Tibbett with their newborn daughter Charlotte Rose. Mrs Morris said she had received "brilliant guidance and support" from her "very experienced" midwife and her waterbirth delivery was "everything I'd hoped for. Meeting the Queen and giving birth on the same day has been a pretty surreal, but it's been perfect."

Dr Gerry Hackett, divisional director of Women's Services, said: "This has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase our marvellous new facilities in the Rosie to these very special guests. We are very pleased with how the event went and have already had some very positive feedback from those present. This was an occasion we will all remember for many years."

Over £3.5 million was raised by the hospital's dedicated charity, Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, towards the costs of the new extension, thanks to the support of local companies, trusts, foundations, major donors and the community for the Rosie Hospital Campaign.

Susanne Owers, director of fundraising at Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, said: "This visit was a fantastic opportunity to thank the many individual fundraisers and donors who, together, helped to make a wonderful environment for new babies, their parents and families.

"We are so proud of what they have achieved. Their amazing support means that the Rosie can continue to offer the very best standard of women's, maternity and neonatal care for our growing local population."